About

The Trail takes its name from numerous connections with the famous Elizabethan seafarer Sir Francis Drake and forms part of (NCN) Route 27, the ‘Devon Coast to Coast’. This is a 102 mile route between Ilfracombe in North Devon and Plymouth. Much of this route is off-road on former railway lines including the Tarka Trail and Granite Way and Devon County Council is working to increase the amount of offroad sections.

Length:

Yelverton to Plymouth 13 miles(21km); Yelverton to Plymbridge 9 miles(14.5km)

Time:

Depends on ages of family members and route chosen, but allow at least 4 hours and longer if walking

Start/finish:

Drake’s Trail Pay & Display car park SX518679

Terrain:

Surfaced cycle route with some short road sections

Maps:

OS Explorer OL28 Dartmoor

Public Transport:

There are regular bus services from Plymouth and Tavistock. Please note that these do not carry bikes

Parking:

Drake’s Trail Car Park, Yelverton. Pay and display – up to 4 hours £1.50; 4 hours + £2.50

Refreshments:

There are a number of shops, cafes/restaurants and pubs in Yelverton, a seasonal refreshment van at Plymbridge and a café at Saltram House.